Last night SouthBMore.com stopped by the Locust Point Civic Association meeting at the Knights of Columbus. What a great group of people – so inviting!

New Development at Lawrence and Key

Although not technically in Locust Point, Arsh Mirmiran stopped by the meeting to present plans for Riverside Wharf at Lawrence St. and Key Hwy. in Riverside. The building plans included a 14,000 square foot Walgreens across the ground level of the development. The Walgreens will have 60 designated parking spots and will not feature a drive-thru, although there will be an easy entrance into the store from the garage. The lease with Walgreens has already been signed.

The building will be three stories high. The upper levels will include two floors of office space with 90 designated parking spots. The parking garage will extend to the second floor at a portion of the building. Also the developer of 1111 Light Street, Mirmiran believes that medical offices will be perfect for the 25,000 square feet of available office space.

The design of the building will have the feeling of an old industrial wharf. There will be a brick facade along Key Hwy., Boyle St., Harvey St. and Lawrence St. and there will be a modern looking curve at the corner of Key and Lawrence. The curve did not go over well today with Baltimore’s Urban Design and Architecture Review Panel so they will be making changes for a more industrial feel throughout.

The building will be surrounded by trees and the roof will be green (made of vegetation.) There will also be an outdoor arcade-style area facing Harvey St. The project is hoping to start this fall and will take 11-12 months to complete.

Down the Hatch Sold

Haubert St. bar, Down the Hatch, has been sold and transferred to a new owner. Locust Point Civic Association approved the transfer, as did the the liquor board. The new bar, Witty’s, is hoping to bring more of a pub feel to the space. They will be adding food and wine to the menu and will be performing interior and exterior renovations over the next six months to a year while remaining open daily from 10am -2am.

Neighbors voiced concerns over the current condition and crowd at Down the Hatch. The owner of Witty’s vowed to keep the place quiet and cooperative, as well as to daily street cleanings around the block. The operations manager is from Canton and the owner is from Catonsville.

Police Report

There is a home on Towson St. that appears to be a drug house. The city now has a stricter Nuisance Abatement Program for problem properties. The more times the cops are called on a problem property, the more attention it will get. This betters the chance that there will also be a search and seizure of the property.

Officer Butterbean also warned people about parking at McHenry Row, which has seen many car break-ins already. “Don’t leave stuff in your car!”

The COP Walk is next Wednesday March 21st. They need at least four people to make the walk official, so please show up!

You can also help support the police at the Museum of Industry on May 4th at the Southern District Police Bull Roast.

Donations from the Civic Association

The leader of the Locust Point Recreation Center was hopping for $1300 to fund new board games, additional chairs and money for a summer trip. The donation was approved by the members.

President Christopher Ritsch’s wife, who is in the final stages of a successful battle against breast cancer, is hoping to participate in the Susan G. Komen 60 mile 3-day walk supporting breast cancer research. The community granted a $500 pledge towards her walk!

Improvements in the Community

Two Locust Point entrance signs will be constructed using funds from Under Armour in accordance to the new PUD agreement. Design Collective will have the new designs ready for next month’s meeting. Money will also be used for new community banners.

April 28th is CSX community day. CSX and volunteers will be cleaning and improving Francis Scott Key Elementary/Middle School, Latrobe Park and Fort McHenry.

New basketball, street hockey and tennis courts are under construction at Latrobe Park. Here is SouthBMore.com’s article on the topic.

Phillips Making Moves

The headquarter of Phillips Seafood on Fort Ave. will be moving their offices from the front of their complex to a back building currently used for storage. Phillips is putting their front building up for lease and hoping to attract a new business. The building is already zoned for offices, but the community did voice concern over a potential zoning change at the location.

Big Crowds Expected for Sailabration

As we’ve chronicled many times, the 200-year celebration of the War of 1812 is happening this June at Fort McHenry. Fort McHenry is expected crowds of 30-40,000 on June 14th, 15th and 16th. They are looking for many volunteers to help out.

Other Announcements

The community yard sale will be Saturday, June 2nd from 8am-12pm.

The Locust Point Festival is on September 8th and they are looking for sponsors.

The Little League Parade will be on April 28th. They will march from Federal Hill Park to the Little League complex on Fort Ave.

Locust Point has entered Mayor Rawlings Blake’s cleaning competition.

BGE has been billing people when they tear up your sidewalk to fix the gas line problems…. don’t pay the bill!

Creator of SouthBmore.com and resident of SoBo. Graduate of Towson University and owner of Incept Multimedia, a full service video production company. Diehard Ravens and O's fan, beach volleyball enthusiast, dog lover and "bar food" foodie. Email me at Kevin@InceptMM.com and follow me on Twitter at @SoBoKevin.

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